Judge calls for action to help soldiers suffering PTSD as he spares veteran

Judge warns increasing numbers of soldiers suffering post traumatic stress
disorder are coming before the courts as he says "I don't think we give
enough credit to the men who are prepared to lay down their lives on a daily
basis for us"

Judge Heywood told the court he knew several people in his own life who had served in the forces and had seen the effect combat had on themPhoto: AFP/GETTY IMAGES

10:43AM BST 19 May 2014

A judge has warned how more soldiers coming from Afghanisatan are suffering post traumatic stress disorder and ending up in the courts for violent offences.

Judge Peter Heywood said it was something he was seeing "on a regular basis" and urged servicemen to be given more psychological help.

His comments came as he spared a soldier jail after carrying out an unprovoked attack on a man in the street.

Afghanistan veteran Jonathan Dunne, 26, was discharged from 1st Battalion the Royal Welsh after his PTSD made it impossible to carry out his duties.

Judge Heywood spared Dunne jail but pleaded with him to seek help for his problem.

He said: "I don't think we give enough credit to the men who are prepared to lay down their lives on a daily basis for us.

"Sadly, it's something we're beginning to see on a regular basis.

"Servicemen come home from the throes of conflict and we consider they're all robust by the very nature of their training.

"But seeing colleagues and friends fall, it's not easy and I suspect so many of them need psychological help."

Judge Heywood told the court he knew several people in his own life who had served in the forces and had seen the effect combate had on them.

He added: "I am not going to send him to prison, largely because of that.

"It's sad to see young men who serve with our premier regiment to find themselves before the courts because of what they have seen in Afghanistan and Northern Ireland because they think they can cope with it."

James Hartson, defending, said Dunne was "very proud" of his war service and was remorseful for the unprovoked assault.

He left his victim Alexander Budge, who had been out celebrating with colleagues in Llanelli, unconscious on the floor after punching him during a night out.

But Swansea Crown Court heard Mr Budge did not suffer serious injuries in the assault.

Judge Heywood sapred Dunne jail and gave him a 12-month community order, 100 hours of unpaid work and supervision.

He told Dunne: "I want you to make sure you talk to your supervising officer.

"I don't want you to put on a face of bravado but if you're suffering flashbacks or anything of the sort you have to raise it."